Donate old cell phones to support domestic violence prevention!

On Oct. 6, Southwest PA Says No More joined with Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Verizon representatives and supporters to kick off a county-wide HopeLine phone drive. HopeLine collects no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries, chargers and accessories in any condition – from any service provider – and turns them into support for domestic violence awareness and prevention organizations.

Verizon also presented a $30,000 grant to Southwest PA Says No More for continuing its important prevention-focused work in the region. Kristy Trautmann, executive director of FISA Foundation and Julie DeSeyn, vice president of community impact for United Way of Allegheny County thanked Verizon for its ongoing support of this critical issue. “This is a community issue,” said Trautmann. “We really count on supporters like Verizon’s HopeLine to help us join together to end domestic violence.”

Verizon has set a goal of collecting one million phones by the end of 2015, and Pittsburgh leaders are doing their part to help drive awareness of this important issue in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

In addition to Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh, several Southwest PA Says No More partner organizations are conducting phone drives this month, including United Way of Allegheny County, FISA Foundation, Family Resources, Pressley Ridge, Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, East End Cooperative Ministry, YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh, and STANDING FIRM.

To learn how to donate a phone or to host your own drive, please visit the HopeLine website.